It also involves creating or taking advantage of digital platforms. At
the moment, Uganda has several sites and places of interest. FILE PHOTO
This year’s World Tourism Day (September 27)
celebrations were held along the theme of digital transformation and
innovation. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) released a statement
highlighting the different interventions that are in place or in the
pipeline in regard to harnessing digital transformation in the tourism
sector.
These include using the spatial monitoring and
reporting tool to deal with anti-poaching challenges, and collect data
regarding designated protected areas. Also highlighted was the plan to
monitor wildlife such as lions, elephants and giraffes using satellite
radio and collars. Already in place is the smartcard used to pay for
services in national parks with plans to adopt a cashless system in the
future.
These are commendable steps in taking advantage of digital innovations. Away from UWA’s efforts, digital technologies are transforming tourism in several ways, and we highlight some of these in today’s Tourism feature on P.12-33.
These are commendable steps in taking advantage of digital innovations. Away from UWA’s efforts, digital technologies are transforming tourism in several ways, and we highlight some of these in today’s Tourism feature on P.12-33.
More people are
booking hotels online, even domestically. That is why a hotel or leisure
activity service provider worth their name creates avenues for people
to make inquiries or bookings easier. Beyond the website, there are
links on their different social media sites. These are also taking
advantage of services such as Airbnb, which is an online hospitality
service.
Such services allow potential tourists to find what they are looking for, whether it is accommodation or a restaurant, in one place, compare prices and see what other people are thinking about it. Taking tourism digital is, therefore, the way to go.
Such services allow potential tourists to find what they are looking for, whether it is accommodation or a restaurant, in one place, compare prices and see what other people are thinking about it. Taking tourism digital is, therefore, the way to go.
However,
this does not require only grand measures such as using big data and
artificial intelligence. It also involves creating or taking advantage
of digital platforms. At the moment, Uganda has several sites and places
of interest. While we have featured them in mainstream media, blogs and
the like, this information is scattered.
Our recommendation is that UWA, the Uganda Tourism Board, the Tourism ministry and other stakeholders should create a platform where all this information is readily available. For instance, a person looking for interesting places to visit say in Kampala, should be able to visit a website or use a mobile app for suggestions.
Our recommendation is that UWA, the Uganda Tourism Board, the Tourism ministry and other stakeholders should create a platform where all this information is readily available. For instance, a person looking for interesting places to visit say in Kampala, should be able to visit a website or use a mobile app for suggestions.
These suggestions can
include the places, what to expect when they visit, what kind of
amenities are available – for instance, does the place have a restaurant
or should people pack snacks? At the moment, people rely on Google
which gives the most common places, leaving out some hidden gems that
tourists can enjoy in Uganda.
Most stakeholders have social media accounts, which are, however, not fully utilised. If we are going to truly take advantage of digital innovations, we need to get the simple things right before looking to grand plans.
Most stakeholders have social media accounts, which are, however, not fully utilised. If we are going to truly take advantage of digital innovations, we need to get the simple things right before looking to grand plans.
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Further, we ask that we be informed whenever you feel that we have fallen short in our attempt to keep these commitments.
• To be accurate and fair in all we do.
• To be respectful to all in our pursuit of the truth.
• To refuse to accept any compensation beyond that provided by Monitor Publications Ltd. for what we do in our news gathering and decision-making.
Further, we ask that we be informed whenever you feel that we have fallen short in our attempt to keep these commitments.
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